Fort Vancouver

Fort Vancouver established in 1824 was a 19th century fur trading outpost along the Columbia River that served as the headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company in the company's Columbia District (which covered the northern half of the region known to Americans as the Oregon Country). Named for Captain George Vancouver, the fort was located on the northern bank of the Columbia River in present-day Vancouver, Washington, near Portland, Oregon. Today, a full-scale replica of the fort, with internal buildings, has been constructed and is open to the public as Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.


In 1846 the Treaty of Oregon was ratified, and Fort Vancouver became part of the Oregon Territory of the United States. The Treaty permitted HBC to continue to operate the Fort Vancouver site even after the boundary dispute was settled, but they eventually abandoned the post in 1860. In 1849, the United States Army constructed a barracks adjacent to the British trading post; and took over the Hudson's Bay facility when it was abandoned. A fire destroyed the fort itself in 1866, but the Army facility has continued in operation in various forms down to the present.


Fort Vancouver was separated from the Army's barracks and became a national monument in 1948. Congress expanded the protected area in 1966 and re-designated the site as a National Historic Site. For some years after its addition to the National Park System, the National Park Service was reluctant to begin reconstruction of the fort walls or buildings, preferring to manage it as an archaeological site as provided by its standing policies. However, in 1965, with the urging of the local community, Congress directed reconstruction to begin. All fort structures seen today are modern replicas, albeit carefully placed on the original locations.

Notable buildings of the restored Fort Vancouver include:
Chief Factor's Residence - Early visitors to Fort Vancouver call the home of the post's the most senior officer “very handsome” and “commodious and elegant.” Built to replace an earlier structure, the Big House was impressive – with white clapboard siding and a large front veranda. Grapevines climbed on iron trellises, and two spiked cannons stood in front. Clerks and officers ate meals in a large mess hall, where parties and dances were also held.




Blacksmith Shop - served as the forth's principle smithy making items of iron and steel that were needed for fur trade. Hardware was also made for construction at the fort and at other HBC posts in the Columbia District. If you're lucky, you can see a live demo!



Indian Trade Ship and Dispensary - this building housed the fur trading operation and the hospital, doctor's office and the doctor's residence.


Carpenter Shop - three to four carpenters along with their apprentices were employed at the fort produced window frames and sashes, doors, furnitures, cars and wagons. They also constructed buildings for the fort as well.


Fur Warehouse - this warehouse stored animal pelts, primarily beaver that was cleaned and pressed into bales before being transported to England.


Bastion - the 1845 bastion was built to protect the fort against any incoming threats and fire salutes to arriving ships. There is a total of three floors with canons on each level (the top floor held eight three-pounder cannons). Below you can see the main staircase along with the view from the canon's firing holes.



Counting House For its first 18 months this building served as quarters for the Capt. Thomas Baillie of the British sloop HMS Modeste anchored at Fort Vancouver. With Baillie's departure, the building became the administrative center for vast Columbia Department. Clerks kept records of incoming and outgoing goods, employee pay and expenditures and completed annual reports